The night is still young, and the whole neighborhood is filled with the joyful singing and laughter of children marching down your street. The kids have handmade bags filled with goodies while some mentally compare the sweets in their bags with their friends.
Decked up in bright-colored clothes, the children march from one door to another, asking for sweets. Sounds familiar, right? But, no – It’s not Halloween. The traditional festival, Hag Al Leila, is celebrated across the Gulf by kids and grown-ups with great pomp and joy.
Emirati families consider Hag Al Leila tradition as an embodiment of tolerance that promotes the spirit of giving, which is passed down by several generations. This culture-rich celebration aims at spreading joy and happiness everywhere.
What Is The Significance Of Hag El Leila?
According to legends, Hag Al Leila originated right from when Prophet Mohammed’s daughter, Fathima, distributed sweets to people two weeks before Ramadan month.
The importance of this traditional Hag Al Leila event lies in the belief in settling one’s deeds for the current year. On this day, business people perform various tasks like checking t current year’s account books, calculating the annual profits from transactions, starting new businesses, and opening new account books for the coming year. People take up resolutions to do more good deeds from this day.
This occasion is celebrated to promote tolerance, fraternity, and compassion among people. People honor their forefathers and strive to keep family legacies alive by celebrating this blessed night. Hag Al Leila celebration promotes solidarity and strengthens relationships.
How is Hag Al Leila Celebrated?
Kids have an important role to play in Hag Al Leila celebration. Soon after Maghrib prayer, they put on their special traditional dresses for the evening and visit each house in their locality carrying specially woven bags for treats. The kids knock on the door of each home and sing memorable songs in Arabic to make their neighbors happy.
The kids usually sing the Arabic song, Atona Allah yatek bet Makkah Ywdekom, on this occasion, which means give us sweets to let God offer his blessings to help you visit Makkah soon. The neighbors then reward their songs by filling up the woven bags with local sweets, treats, nuts, sweetmeats, and candies. The grown-ups celebrate the Hag Al Leila evening by visiting their relatives and friends to offer their greetings and blessings.
The preparation for Hag Al Leila begins a week before. Families are shopping for the blessed night flock to the local markets and grocery stores. Parents plan their kids’ traditional attire for the special occasion with matching accessories and handcrafted sweet bags with intricate designs. Families also attend several events arranged at community centers and malls to let their kids learn the history of this traditional festival.
When Is Hag El Laila Celebrated?
According to the lunar Hijri calendar, Hag Al Leila is an annual celebration that falls on the 15th of Shaaban – the 8th month based on the Islamic calendar. This annual event is celebrated to mark the arrival of the commencement of the holy Ramadan month.
When is Hag El Laila 2023 celebrated?
In 2023, the festival is celebrated from March 7, 2023, to March 8, 2023.
Where Does Hag Al Laila Take Place?
Hag Al Leila is an indispensable custom that is integral to the deep-rooted Emirati tradition. The “For this Night” celebration dates back hundreds of years and is celebrated by families in the Gulf and other countries.
Other Names of Hag Al Leila In Different Countries
The occasion of Hag Al Leila is also known as Aatoona Haq Laila, meaning “on this blessed night, offer us something”. Several regions celebrate this occasion under different names given below.
- Berat Kandili – Turkey
- Nisf Sha’ban – Arab countries
- Nisfu Sya’ban – Malaysia, Indonesia
- Gargean – Kuwait and Saudi Arabia
- Garangao – Qatar
- Garangesho – Oman
- Gergaoon – Bahrain
- Nim Sha’ban – Iran and Afghanistan
- Shab e Bira’at (Night of Emancipation) – South Asia
What Makes Hag El Laila Special?
The common belief of the people is that during this particular night, the Almighty changed the direction of praying from Jerusalem towards Mecca. Some opine that it is a blessed night, as Hag Al Leila always falls between two occasions, such as Rajab and Ramadan. Some consider this evening blessed because it washes all their lifetime sins.
Regardless of the event’s meaning and belief, Hag Al Leila is a remarkable occasion, as kids in every family participate in the celebration to keep hopes alive for a better tomorrow. Apart from the Muslim community, the local people also participate in the Hag Al Leila celebration, as this occasion strengthens family values and societal bonding. Tourists often visit the regions that celebrate Hag Al Leila, as the streets are filled with the songs and laughter of kids in traditional dresses.
So, it’s time to plan that special attire for your little ones for the Hag Al Leila celebration. Encourage your angels to knock on your neighbors’ doors for their share of sweet treats, and let your neighborhood be filled with fun, laughter, and songs.